Computer lock system

ABSTRACT

A computing device including a first computer portion pivotally connected to a second computer portion by a hinge. The computing device further includes an element moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free to rotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantially prevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of the element between the first and second positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a computer lock system, and moreparticularly to a lock system for locking a foldable (e.g., laptop,notebook, etc.) computer in an open configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laptop computers (also referred to as notebook computers, notebooks, andlaptops) are rapidly becoming one of the most popular styles ofcomputing device for both private and commercial users. As integratedcircuit features continue to decrease in size and increase in speed,laptop computers routinely offer users computing power that waspreviously attainable only with desktop computing systems. Moreover,laptop computers provide users with increased mobility, especially whenthe laptop computer is coupled with a wireless network connection. Thesebenefits have translated to a recent proliferation of laptop computers.

With this increase in laptop computer use, security for these computingdevices is becoming more of a concern. Owners of laptop computers wantto prevent their machine from being stolen. Moreover, and perhaps morecritical, owners of the various information that may be stored on alaptop computer also want to prevent that information from falling intothe wrong hands and being used for nefarious purposes, such as, forexample, identity theft.

Conventional security devices and systems for laptop computers includecable locks, lockable docking stations, lid locks, and briefcase locks.Such security devices physically secure the laptop computer to a workingsurface or another object, and utilize keys or other numeric combinationstyle mechanisms to permit authorized access to (i.e., unlock) thecomputer. These known security devices, however, can typically be brokenor beaten (e.g., circumvented) by brute force techniques. That is,conventional cable-locks and pad-locks can be cut or broken. And oncesuch security devices are compromised, the laptop or notebook computermay be easily stolen because it may be folded into a small, compact sizethat is easily concealed.

The above-described known security devices fail to address a primaryreason why laptop computers are so easily stolen: the relatively smallsize of the laptop computer. In essence, as the size of mobile computingdevices becomes smaller and smaller, their rate of theft tends toincrease due to the ease of taking a unit and sliding it unobtrusivelyinto a bag, under a jacket, etc. As a result, most methods to detertheft of these devices known in the art are marginally effective, atbest.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficienciesand limitations described hereinabove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, there is a device comprising a firstbar pivotally attached to a first portion of a computer, and a secondbar pivotally attached to the first bar and moveable along a trackarranged on a second portion of the computer. At least one aperture isarranged in the second bar, and at least one cavity is arranged in thesecond portion of the computer. The device further comprises a lock thatis insertable through the at least one aperture and the at least onecavity when the at least one aperture and the at least one cavity arealigned. The first portion of the computer is rotatable relative to thesecond portion of the computer when the lock is not inserted through theat least one aperture and the at least one cavity. The first portion ofthe computer is rotatably locked relative to the second portion of thecomputer when the lock is inserted through the at least one aperture andthe at least one cavity.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is a device comprising ablocking device attached to a first portion of a computer, at least onecavity arranged on a second portion of the computer, and a lock that isinsertable into and selectively engageable with the at least one cavity.The first portion of the computer is rotatable relative to the secondportion of the computer when the lock is not inserted into the at leastone cavity. The first portion of the computer is substantially notrotatable relative to the second portion of the computer beyond a pointof the blocking device contacting the lock when the lock is insertedinto the at least one cavity.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is a computing devicecomprising a first computer portion pivotally connected to a secondcomputer portion by a hinge. The computing device further comprises anelement moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free torotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantiallyprevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of theelement between the first and second positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lock system according to aspects ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows a variation of the first embodiment according to aspects ofthe invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show aspects of the first embodiment according to theinvention;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a lock system according to aspectsof the invention;

FIG. 5A shows a third embodiment of a lock system according to aspectsof the invention; and

FIG. 5B shows a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of thethird embodiment according to aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a lock system structured and arranged tolock a foldable (e.g., laptop, notebook, etc.) computer in a particularorientation. Implementations of the invention employ an insertable lockthat prevents movement of the foldable portions of a computer. In thismanner, the invention provides a theft deterrent by constraining thefoldable computer to an open configuration that is difficult to conceal.The invention can also be used to prevent the inadvertent closing of afoldable computer, such as, for example, when a user is using such acomputer in a cramped space.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lock system according to aspects ofthe invention. A foldable computer 15 (e.g., laptop computer, notebookcomputer, etc.) has base portion 20 and screen portion 25 that arepivotally connected via hinge 30, as is known to those of skill in theart. In embodiments, the base portion 20 comprises a base of thecomputer that includes, for example, a keyboard, motherboard, harddrive, accessory ports, etc. The screen portion 25 may comprise, forexample, a viewable display, and the hinge 30 may comprise, for example,a pivot hinge that connects and allows for pivotal movement between thebase and screen portions 20, 25. The base portion 20, screen portion 25,and hinge 30 are conventional as described thus far, may comprise anyconfiguration of components and accessories, and may be arranged in anysize or shape as dictated by the intended use of the computer.

In implementations, the lock system includes a pivot bar 35 having oneend pivotally connected to a side of the screen portion 25 via pivot 40.In embodiments, the pivot 40 comprises a pin that extends through a holein the pivot bar 35 and is connected to an outer side of the screenportion 25 such that a longitudinal axis of the pin acts as an axis ofrotation of the pivot bar 35 about the screen portion 25. However, anysuitable pivotable connection may be used for pivot 40.

Still referring to FIG. 1, pivot bar 35 has another end connected to aslide bar 45 via pivot 50. In embodiments, the pivot 50 comprises a pinthat extends through a hole in the pivot bar 35 and a hole in the slidebar 45 such that a longitudinal axis of the pin acts as an axis ofrotation of the pivot bar 35 about the slide bar 45. However, anysuitable pivotable connection may be used for pivot 50. The pivot bar 35and slide bar 45 may be composed of any suitable material, such as, forexample, plastic or metal.

Slide bar 45 is slidingly engaged with a track 55 arranged on a side ofthe base portion 20 such that the slide bar 45 translates along thetrack 55 when the screen portion 25 is rotated relative to the baseportion 20 (i.e., when the laptop computer is opened or closed). Theslide bar 45 further comprises a plurality of apertures 60 spaced alongits length. The apertures 60 are shown as substantially circular in FIG.1, although any shape may be employed, such as, for example,rectangular, oval, triangular, hexagonal, etc. Any suitable number ofapertures 60 may be provided in the slide bar 45, and any suitablespacing may be used between the apertures 60.

The base portion 20 comprises at least one keyhole (e.g., cavity, etc.)65 that is adjacent to and accessible via the track 55. In embodiments,plural keyholes 65 are provided, each keyhole 65 having substantiallythe same shape as the apertures 60. The apertures 60 move relative tothe keyholes 65 as the screen portion 25 is rotated relative to the baseportion 20 and the slide bar 45 moves within the track 55. When aparticular aperture 60 is aligned with the keyhole 65 (as shown at “A”)a lock 70 (described in detail below) may be inserted (as indicated bydashed line “B”) through the particular aperture 60 and the keyhole 65and engaged with the base portion 20. As is readily apparent from FIG.1, when the lock 70 extends through an aperture 60 and keyhole 65, theslide bar 45 is prevented from moving within the track 55, which, inturn, prevents the screen portion 25 from rotating relative to the baseportion 20 about hinge 30. In this manner, the foldable computer 15 maybe locked in an open configuration.

As described above, any suitable number of apertures 60 may be providedin the slide bar 45, and any suitable spacing may be used between theapertures 60. Moreover, more than one keyhole 65 may be provided. Forexample, plural substantially identical keyholes 65 may be providedalong the length of the track 55 in order to provide numerous possiblelockable positions of the screen portion 25 relative to the base portion20.

Lock 70 may comprise any suitable lock that is capable of extendingthrough the aperture 60 and keyhole 65 and engaging the base portion 20.In embodiments, the lock 70 comprises a conventional cable-type lockthat includes a body 75, a shaft 80 extending from the body 75, and anengagement portion 85 on an end of the shaft 80. Also connected to thebody 75 is an actuating mechanism 90 that selectively moves theengagement portion 85 between a first contracted position, in which theengagement portion 85 is smaller than the apertures 60 and keyhole 65,and a second expanded position, in which the engagement portion 85 islarger than the apertures 60 and keyhole 65. The actuating mechanism 90may comprise, for example, a key or a rotary-dial-combination device(e.g., numbered spinwheel), as is known and no further description isbelieved necessary. The lock 70 may optionally comprise a cable 95attached to the body 75, and may further optionally comprise a loop 96at the end of the cable 95. Such locks, having a body 75, shaft 80,engagement portion 85, actuating mechanism 90, and cable 95, are known,and further description is not believed necessary.

In operation, the screen portion 25 is rotated (i.e., folded) to adesired position relative to the base portion 20 such that one of theapertures 60 is aligned with a key hole 65. The actuating mechanism 90is used to place the engagement portion 85 in the first contractedposition (in which the engagement portion 85 is smaller than an aperture60). The engagement portion 85 is inserted through the aligned aperture60 and key hole 65, and the actuating mechanism 90 is used to place theengagement portion 85 in the second expanded position (in which theengagement portion 85 is larger than the aperture 60). In this manner,the computer 15 is locked into a configuration such that the screenportion 25 may not be rotated (e.g., is rotatably locked) relative tothe base portion. To subsequently move the screen portion 25, a usermust apply the appropriate key or combination to the actuating mechanism90 to contract the engagement portion 85 to its contracted position andremove the engagement portion 85 from the keyhole 65 and aperture 60.

It should be noted that the pivot bar 35, slide bar 45, track 55, andkeyhole(s) 65 are not limited to the locations shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, the pivot bar 35 may be connected to thebase portion 20 and the slide bar 45, track 55, and keyhole 65 arrangedon the screen portion 25. Alternatively, the components may be arrangedon other surfaces of the computer 15.

Moreover, the slide bar 45 and track 55 may be structured and arrangedin any suitable fashion that allows the apertures 60 to pass over andalign with the keyhole(s) 65. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, thetrack 55 may comprise a substantially I-beam shape that the ends of theslide bar 45 wrap around. Or, as depicted in FIG. 3B, the slide bar 45may comprise a substantially I-beam shape that flanges of the track 55extend into. In embodiments, bearings, bushings, and/or lubricants maybe employed to assist the motion of the slide bar 45 relative to thetrack 55, although the invention may be practiced without such features.

Still referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in embodiments, the keyhole 65comprises a first cavity portion 105 and second cavity portion 106. Thesecond cavity portion 106 is of sufficient size to accommodate theengagement portion 85 of the lock 70 when the engagement portion 85 isin the expanded position. The first cavity portion 105 is sized suchthat the engagement portion 85 may pass therethrough when the engagementportion is in the contracted position, but may not pass therethroughwhen in the expanded position. In this manner, the lock 70 isselectively engageable with the keyhole 65. Such configurations areknown in the art, and any suitable keyhole configuration may be employedwithin the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a lock system according to theinvention. Similar to that described above, a foldable (e.g., laptop,notebook, etc.) computer 15 comprises a base portion 20 and screenportion 25 that are moveable relative to each other via hinge 30.Keyhole 200 is arranged on the base portion 20, and abutment (e.g.,blocking device) 205 is arranged on the screen portion. When a lock,such as lock 70 described above, is disposed in the keyhole 200,rotation of the screen portion 25 relative to the base portion 20 islimited by the abutment 205 coming into contact with the lock 70. Thatis, the abutment 205 and lock 70 arranged in the keyhole 200 cooperateto prevent the foldable computer 15 from being closed.

The keyhole 200 may comprise any size and shape hole that receives aconventional computer lock. The abutment comprises a structural elementthat comes into contact with a key that is engaged in the key hole 200.In embodiments, the abutment 205 comprises an integral portion of thescreen portion 25. For example, the abutment 205 may be integrallyformed with the screen portion 25 during a molding process. However, theabutment can also be connected to the screen portion 25 by fasteners,such as, for example, screws, adhesive, etc. In this manner, theabutment 205 may be added as a kit that is retrofitted to an existinglaptop computer. Moreover, the keyhole 200 and abutment 205 mayalternatively be arranged on any appropriate surfaces of the computer15.

FIG. 5A shows a third embodiment of a lock system according to theinvention. Similar to that described above, a foldable (e.g., laptop,notebook, etc.) computer 15 comprises a base portion 20 and screenportion 25 that are moveable relative to each other via hinge 30.Arranged on the screen portion 25 is a slide tab 300 that is moveablebetween a first unlocked position and a second locked position. Theslide tab 300 is connected to an element (not shown) that can block therotation of the hinge 30. A rotary-dial-combination lock 305 isoperatively connected to the bar, and permits or denies movement of theslide tab 300 between the first unlocked position and second lockedposition. That is, when the correct combination is entered on therotary-dial-combination lock 305, the slide tab 300 can be moved betweenthe first unlocked position and second locked position, and the hinge 30may be locked and unlocked accordingly. However, when any combinationother than the correct combination is entered on therotary-dial-combination lock 305, the slide tab 300 cannot be movedbetween the first unlocked position and second locked position.

FIG. 5B shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary implementationof the embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 5A. In thisimplementation, the slide tab 300 is moveable between an unlockedposition 310 and a locked position 315, and is operatively connected tobar 320. When the slide tab 300 is in the locked position 315, the barextends into one of a plurality of notches 325 of a wheel 330 that isfixed to (or part of) the hinge 30. In the locked position 315, rotationof the hinge 30, and therefore, of the screen portion 25 relative to thebase portion 20, is substantially prevented. However, when the slide tab300 is in the unlocked position 310, the bar does not extend into one ofa plurality of notches 325 of the wheel 330 that is fixed to the hinge30. In this manner, the hinge 30 is free to move, thereby allowing thescreen portion 25 to move (e.g., rotate) relative to the base portion20.

In embodiments, indicia are provided for indicating when the element isin either the unlocked position 310 or the locked position 315. Forexample, first indicia (e.g., a picture of an unlocked padlock) 335 maybe provided on the surface of the screen portion 25 at the unlockedposition of the slide tab 300. Similarly, second indicia (e.g., apicture of a locked padlock) 340 may be provided on the surface of thescreen portion 25 at the locked position of the slide tab 300. It isunderstood that other indicia may be used within the scope of theinvention.

Still referring to the FIG. 5B, the bar 320 is also operativelyconnected to the rotary-dial-combination lock 305. When the correctcombination is entered on the rotary-dial-combination lock 305, the bar320 is free to move, thus allowing the slide tab 300 to move between theunlocked position 310 and the locked position 315. However, when anycombination other than the correct combination is entered on therotary-dial-combination lock 305, the bar 320 is not free to move. Assuch, the slide tab 300 cannot be moved between the unlocked position310 and the locked position 315.

In operation, a user may open the screen portion 25 to a desired anglerelative to the base portion 20, enter the correct combination on therotary-dial-combination lock 305, move the slide tab 300 to the lockedposition 315, and scramble the spinwheels (e.g., enter an incorrectcombination) of the rotary-dial-combination lock 305. In this manner,the screen portion 25 is locked relative to the base portion 20 suchthat the angle between the screen portion 25 and base portion 20substantially cannot be changed. Only a user with knowledge of thecorrect combination of the rotary-dial-combination lock 305 could unlockthe device to allow the screen portion 25 to move relative to the baseportion 20.

While the invention has been described in terms of embodiments, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practicedwith modifications and in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A device, comprising: a first bar pivotally attached to a firstportion of a computer; a second bar pivotally attached to the first barand moveable along a track arranged on a second portion of the computer;at least one aperture in the second bar; at least one cavity in thesecond portion of the computer; a lock that is insertable through the atleast one aperture and the at least one cavity when the at least oneaperture and the at least one cavity are aligned; wherein the firstportion of the computer is rotatable relative to the second portion ofthe computer when the lock is not inserted through the at least oneaperture and the at least one cavity, and the first portion of thecomputer is rotatably locked relative to the second portion of thecomputer when the lock is inserted through the at least one aperture andthe at least one cavity.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.
 3. The device of claim2, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a plurality of cavities. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity comprises aplurality of cavities.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstportion of the computer comprises a keyboard and the second portion ofthe computer comprises a video display.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the first portion of the computer comprises a video display andthe second portion of the computer comprises a keyboard.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the track comprises at least one flange extendinginto at least one groove of the second bar.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the second bar comprises at least one flange extending into atleast one groove of the track.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thelock comprises an engagement portion that is selectively moveablebetween a contracted position, in which the engagement portion fitsthrough the at least one aperture, and an expanded position, in whichthe engagement portion does not fit through the at least one aperture.10. The device of claim 9, wherein the lock further comprises at leastone of a key and a combination that is required to move the engagementportion from the expanded position to the contracted position.